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A study published in The BMJ highlights that outdoor air pollution, mainly driven by fossil fuel usage in industry, power generation, and transportation, contributes to 2.18 million deaths yearly in India, placing it second to China in this concerning statistic. Globally, this form of pollution is responsible for an alarming 5.1 million additional deaths annually.
The research underscores that the potential replacement of fossil fuels with cleaner, renewable energy sources could prevent a significant portion—61 percent—of the estimated 8.3 million worldwide deaths due to ambient air pollution in 2019. These findings indicate a greater impact on mortality rates than previously assumed, emphasizing the urgent need to phase out fossil fuel usage.
Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Germany utilized a novel model to evaluate the fatalities linked to fossil fuel-related air pollution. They employed various scenarios, concluding that completely eliminating fossil fuel-related emissions would have the most substantial impact on reducing deaths, particularly in South, South East, and East Asia, preventing around 3.85 million deaths annually.
The majority of these deaths—52 percent—are attributed to prevalent conditions like ischemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive lung disease, and diabetes. Furthermore, about 20 percent of deaths, while undefined, likely stem from factors such as high blood pressure and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
The researchers acknowledge that their new model yielded larger estimates compared to previous studies. This discrepancy is due to accounting for all causes of death alongside disease-specific fatalities and focusing solely on ambient air pollution studies. Despite uncertainties, they assert that replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources aligns with the Paris Climate Agreement’s aim for climate neutrality by 2050, yielding substantial health and climate-related benefits.
Amidst the ongoing COP28 climate change discussions in the UAE, the researchers emphasize the importance of prioritizing the health benefits derived from phasing out fossil fuels. They advocate for placing these benefits high on the agenda, viewing this as a pivotal opportunity to make significant strides toward a cleaner, healthier future.
